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For over 200 years, the name molluscum contagiosum-a dermatological disease-has unfairly associated molluscs (the second largest group of animals on the planet) with this highly contagious infectious disease. Herein, arguments are presented demonstrating the serious problem of continuing to use this name, including animal welfare concerns. Thus, to minimize any unnecessary impacts on the biodiversity and conservation of molluscs, we follow WHO best practices in naming diseases to suggest the use of the new term 'wpox' or 'water warts' as a synonym for molluscum contagiosum.

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Since the emergence of monkeypox in Europe, this disease has gradually spread throughout the rest of the world. In Mexico, epidemiological notices have been issued with the main guidelines to follow in terms of epidemiological surveillance and official figures have been published regularly on a microsite weeks after the first cases. These sources of information were reviewed and analyzed, based on which observations are issued, in addition to other relevant publications on the subject, with the interest of reinforcing the surveillance of this disease in the country.

Desde el surgimiento de la viruela símica en Europa la enfermedad se ha extendido paulatinamente por el resto del mundo. En México se han emitido avisos epidemiológicos con las principales pautas a seguir en materia de vigilancia epidemiológica y publicado las cifras oficiales de forma regular en un micrositio semanas después de los primeros casos. Se revisaron y analizaron dichas fuentes de información, con base en las cuales se emiten observaciones, además de otras publicaciones relevantes del tema, con el interés de reforzar la vigilancia de esta enfermedad en el país.

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During the 2022 monkeypox (mpox) epidemic's first 100 days, 99 non-endemic countries, including 25 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, reported >64,000 cases. We aim to assess the cases' introduction, epidemiological profile, initial response, transmission dynamics, and main challenges ahead among LAC countries during the first 100 days of the mpox 2022 epidemic. We used mixed methods, including desktop research and open data analysis. The 2022 mpox epidemic has progressed consistently through LAC, with Brazil and Peru combining for over 80% of the confirmed LAC cases. Although Brazil reports the highest mpox case counts (n = 4472), Peru reports the highest incidence (41 confirmed cases per 1 million inhabitants). Initially, LAC missed the opportunity to focus on the high-risk population, including the people living with HIV (PLHIV) and gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Moreover, the main challenges ahead include stigmatization, vaccine inequity, barriers to accessing diagnostics, and complete isolation. Furthermore, we estimated that Colombia, Brazil, the United States, and Peru are the world frontrunners in mpox duplication time (estimated between 6.4 and 8.8) and effective reproductive number (estimated between 2.7 and 3.8). In addition, Brazil reported its first case of inverse zoonosis in a dog and Peru its first autochthonous MPXV lineage, B.1.6. LAC has become the epicenter of the 2022 mpox epidemic, with Brazil and Peru emerging as the new mpox hot zones. Therefore, LAC countries must join efforts to control this epidemic and overcome the challenges of vaccine inequity and stigmatization.

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The genus Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) of the family Poxviridae comprises several viruses that are capable of infecting a wide range of hosts. One of the most widespread OPXVs is the Vaccinia virus (VACV), which circulates in zoonotic cycles in South America, especially in Brazil, infecting domestic and wild animals and humans and causing economic losses as well as impacting public health. Despite this, little is known about the presence and/or exposure of neotropical primates to orthopoxviruses in the country. In this study, we report the results of a search for evidence of OPVX infections in neotropical free-living primates in the state of Minas Gerais, southeast Brazil. The sera or liver tissues of 63 neotropical primates were examined through plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT) and real-time PCR. OPXV-specific neutralizing antibodies were detected in two sera (4.5%) from Callithrix penicillata, showing 55% and 85% reduction in plaque counts, evidencing their previous exposure to the virus. Both individuals were collected in urban areas. All real-time PCR assays were negative. This is the first time that evidence of OPXV exposure has been detected in C. penicillata, a species that usually lives at the interface between cities and forests, increasing risks of zoonotic transmissions through spillover/spillback events. In this way, studies on the circulation of OPXV in neotropical free-living primates are necessary, especially now, with the monkeypox virus being detected in new regions of the planet.

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Resumen El molusco contagioso es una infección viral cutánea, usualmente benigna y autolimitada, causada por un virus del género Molluscipoxvirus. Es más frecuente en niños, adultos jóvenes sexualmente activos e inmunosuprimidos. La lesión clínica característica es una pápula umbilicada eucrómica o de tono perlado, que se disemina rápidamente y puede afectar cualquier superficie muco-cutánea, aunque la localización en los párpados es atípica. Se presentan dos casos de pacientes jóvenes inmunosuprimidos, con moluscos contagiosos palpebrales, en quienes el diagnóstico clínico inicial fue incorrecto. Se enfatiza la importancia de diagnosti car oportunamente las lesiones papulares que afectan la piel del párpado ya que la presencia de molusco contagioso en esta zona se considera una manifestación cutánea de inmunosupresión.

Abstract Molluscum contagiosum is a cutaneous viral infection, usually benign and self-limited, caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus, of the genus Molluscipoxvirus. It is more common in pediatric population, sexually active young people and immunosuppressed patients. Clinical presentation is characterized by umbilicated white to flesh-colored or pearly papules, which rapidly spread and can affect any muco-cutaneous membrane. Although the eyelid presentation is atypical, we herein present two young, immunosuppressed patients, with diagnosis of palpebral molluscum contagiosum, in which the initial clinical diagnosis was wrong. We emphasize the importance in making a timely diagnosis of papular lesions localized on the eyelids and the correlation of these lesions as a cutaneous manifestation of immunosuppression.

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Poxviruses (family: Poxviridae) infect many avian species, causing several disease outcomes, the most common of which are proliferative lesions on the legs, feet, and/or head. Few avian studies of poxvirus to date have combined molecular and ecological analyses to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the identity and distribution of the disease in a population. Here, we describe patterns of poxvirus infection in an urban population of house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) in Arizona (USA) and use high-throughput sequencing to determine the genome sequence of the virus. We found that poxvirus prevalence, based on visual identification of pox lesions, was 7.2% (17 infected birds out of a total of 235 sampled) in our population during summer 2021. Disease severity was low; 14 of the 17 infected birds had a single small lesion on the skin overlaying the eye, leg, and ear canal. All but two lesions were found on the feet; one bird had a lesion on the eye and the other in the ear opening. We also investigated possible temporal (i.e., date of capture) and biological correlates (e.g., age, sex, body condition, degree of infection with coccidian endoparasites) of poxvirus infection in urban-caught house finches during this time but found that none of these significantly correlated with poxvirus presence/absence. Two complete poxvirus genomes were determined from two infected birds. These genomes are ∼354,000 bp and share 99.7% similarity with each other, and 82% with a canarypox virus genome, the most closely related avipoxvirus. This novel finchpox virus is the first to be reported in house finches and has a similar genome organization to other avipoxviruses.

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We obtained the complete sequence of a novel poxvirus, tentatively named Brazilian porcupinepox virus, from a wild porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) in Brazil that had skin and internal lesions characteristic of poxvirus infection. The impact of this lethal poxvirus on the survival of this species and its potential zoonotic importance remain to be investigated.

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A tatuagem é uma prática antiga e muito popular atualmente. Os pigmentos utilizados mudaram com o tempo, mas continuam apresentando composições variadas e pouco regulamentadas. Há inúmeros casos descritos de efeitos adversos pós-tatuagem, em sua maioria infecciosos, e reações de hipersensibilidade. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 64 anos, hígida, com pápulas nas sobrancelhas um mês após realizar micropigmentação. A biópsia excisional fez o diagnóstico de molusco contagioso, e o tratamento foi realizado com curetagem das lesões. Na literatura, existem poucos relatos de disseminação de molusco contagioso causada por tatuagem.

Tattooing is an ancient practice and very popular nowadays. The pigments used have changed over time but still present varied and poorly regulated compositions. There are many described cases of adverse effects after tattooing, mainly infectious and hypersensitivity reactions. We report the case of a 64-yearold woman, healthy, with papules on her eyebrows one month after performing micropigmentation. The excisional biopsy diagnosed molluscum contagiosum, and the lesions were curetted. There are few reports in the literature of the spread of molluscum contagiosum caused by tattooing

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Avian poxvirus (APV) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that affects many domestic and wild birds worldwide. APVs are classified into three clades (A to C), represented by fowlpox (FP) virus (clade A), canarypox virus (clade B), and psittacinepox virus (clade C), although two additional clades (D and E) have been proposed. In this study, a tumorlike skin lesion found in a domestic fowl was submitted for molecular diagnosis of Avipoxvirus by PCR and sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the amplified segment of the corelike 4b protein and polymerase genes clustered in clade E. The APVs in clade E were previously reported from outbreaks in Hungary (flock of turkeys) and in Mozambique (layer chickens), associated with a possible vaccine failure to protect against clade E viruses. To our knowledge, this report is the first identification of clade E in this country, providing new information about host range and genetic diversity of APVs in Brazil, and may represent a potential risk of FP disease outbreaks in commercial poultry.

Reporte de caso- Identificación del Avipoxvirus clado E en Brasil. El poxvirus aviar (APV) es un virus de ADN bicatenario envuelto que afecta a muchas aves domésticas y silvestres en todo el mundo. Los poxvirus aviares se clasifican en tres clados (A, B y C), representados por el virus de la viruela aviar (FP) (clado A), el virus de la viruela del canario (clado B) y el virus de la viruela de los psitácidos (clado C), aunque dos clados adicionales (D y E) han sido propuestos. En este estudio, una lesión cutánea similar a un tumor encontrada en una gallina doméstica fue sometida a diagnóstico molecular de Avipoxvirus por PCR y secuenciación. El análisis filogenético reveló que el segmento amplificado de los genes de la proteína del centro 4b y de la polimerasa se agruparon en el clado E. Los poxvirus aviares en el clado E se reportaron previamente de brotes en Hungría (parvada de pavos) y en Mozambique (gallinas de postura), asociados con una posible falla de la vacuna para proteger contra los virus del clado E. De acuerdo con el conocimiento de los autores, este informe es la primera identificación del clado E en este país, brindando nueva información sobre el rango de hospedadores y la diversidad genética de poxvirus aviares en Brasil, y puede representar un riesgo potencial de brotes de viruela aviar en aves comerciales.

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The global emergence of zoonotic viruses, including poxviruses, poses one of the greatest threats to human and animal health. Forty years after the eradication of smallpox, emerging zoonotic orthopoxviruses, such as monkeypox, cowpox, and vaccinia viruses continue to infect humans as well as wild and domestic animals. Currently, the geographical distribution of poxviruses in a broad range of hosts worldwide raises concerns regarding the possibility of outbreaks or viral dissemination to new geographical regions. Here, we review the global host ranges and current epidemiological understanding of zoonotic orthopoxviruses while focusing on orthopoxviruses with epidemic potential, including monkeypox, cowpox, and vaccinia viruses.

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RESUMEN La reciente ocurrencia de infecciones por el virus vaccinia en animales y humanos en distintos lugares de la geografía colombiana, sumadas a otras por éste y por otros virus pertenecientes al género Orthopoxvirus (familia Poxviridae), ocurridas en algunos países de Suramérica, África, Asia y Europa se convierten en evidencia de la inminente emergencia y re-emergencia de este género, con características biológicas y epidemiológicas que le confieren gran interés para la salud pública del mundo, como lo fue en el pasado una de sus especies representativas: el virus de la viruela. Esta emergencia y re-emergencia parecen estar relacionadas con la suspensión en las décadas de los 70s y 80s de las campañas de vacunación contra la viruela, las cuales; insospechadamente estuvieron protegiendo a la población, no únicamente contra este virus, sino contra otros del mismo género. En el presente artículo se hace una revisión de la biología y epidemiología de los principales miembros del género Orthopoxvirus, su presentación clínica, antecedentes históricos, contexto social, e impacto en la salud pública mundial en el pasado, presente y a futuro.(AU)

ABSTRACT The recent occurrence of vaccinia virus infections in humans and animals in Colombia, together with that reported for this and other species of the genus Orthopoxvirus in some South American, African, Asian and European countries, is supporting evidence of the emergence and re-emergence of the genus. This fact has become of great interest for public health around the world due to its biological and an epidemiological features, as was in the past the variola virus, one of its representatives. The emergence and re-emergence of the genus Orthopoxvirus may be a consequence of stopping vaccination against the variola virus in the 1970s and 1980s. This vaccination unsuspectedly induced cross-protective immunity to other species of that genus. This is a review of the history, biology and epidemiology of the main species of the genus Orthopoxvirus, together with its clinical presentation, social context and public health impact in the past, present and future.(AU)

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Bovine vaccinia (BV) is a vesicular disease induced by the Vaccinia virus (VACV) that affects milk production and is an occupational zoonosis. This research had the following objectives: (i) detection of VACV by qPCR in cattle with clinical suspicion of vesicular disease; (ii) symptoms characterization in animals and milkers with clinical suspicion of the disease and virus detection in humans; and (iii) identification of risk factors for infections of VACV in herds from several Brazilian states. A total of 471 bovine epithelial samples from dairy farms, in 15 Brazilian states, were evaluated between 2007 and 2012. The samples were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR) using SYBR Green® reagents, validated with a lower limit of detection of 100TCID50/50µL (1.7x100 viral particles), and 45.1% of VACV positive samples were detected. Using official forms for epidemiological investigation (FORM-IN), the risk factors for VACV infections in cattle were determined to be farms with a lack of technological facilities (P= 0.029) and the presence of rodents (P= 0.001). There was an effect of seasonality in cattle with a higher occurrence of BV during the dry season. A total of 420 epidemiological questionnaires were applied at public health care centers, where 100% of the milkers had vesicular lesions on their hands (98.1%) and on their arms (6.9%). The most frequent clinical symptoms in humans were: local swelling (74.2%), headache (20.7%), fever (10.4%) and inguinal lymphadenopathy (74.2%). Only 19.98% of milkers aged between 39 and 58 years were seroreactive to VACV and were immunized with the human anti-smallpox vaccine. There was an increase in the frequency of BV in older individuals due to their natural decrease in specific immunity. It has been shown that the implementation of zootechnical management techniques and health planning are important for the prevention of BV in animals and humans.(AU)

Vaccinia bovina (VB) é uma doença vesicular induzida pelo Vaccinia virus (VACV) que afeta a produção de leite e é uma zoonose ocupacional. Este trabalho teve os seguintes objetivos: (i) detecção de VACV por qPCR em bovinos com suspeita clínica de doença vesicular; (ii) caracterização dos sintomas apresentados por animais e ordenhadores com suspeita clínica da doença e detecção do vírus em humanos; e (iii) identificação de fatores de risco para infecção por VACV em rebanhos de vários estados brasileiros. Um total de 471 amostras de epitélio bovino de fazendas leiteiras, em 15 estados brasileiros, foram avaliados entre 2007 e 2012. As amostras foram testadas por PCR quantitativa (qPCR) usando reagentes SYBR Green®, validados com um limite inferior de detecção de 100TCID50 / 50L (1,7x100 partículas virais) e 45,1% das amostras positivas de VACV foram detectadas. Usando formulários oficiais de investigação epidemiológica (FORM-IN), os fatores de risco para infecções por VACV em bovinos foram determinados como fazendas com falta de instalações tecnológicas (P= 0,029) e presença de roedores (P= 0,001). Houve um efeito da sazonalidade no gado com maior ocorrência de VB durante a estação seca. Um total de 420 questionários epidemiológicos foram aplicados nos centros públicos de saúde, onde 100% dos ordenhadores apresentaram lesões vesiculares nas mãos (98,1%) e nos braços (6,9%). Os sintomas clínicos mais frequentes em humanos foram: inchaço local (74,2%), cefaleia (20,7%), febre (10,4%) e linfadenopatia inguinal (74,2%). Apenas 19,98% dos produtores de leite com idade entre 39 e 58 anos foram sororreagentes ao VACV e foram imunizados com a vacina contra a varíola humana. Houve um aumento na frequência de BV em indivíduos mais velhos devido à sua diminuição natural na imunidade específica. Demonstrou-se que a implementação de técnicas de gestão zootécnica e planejamento sanitário são importantes para a prevenção da VB em animais e seres humanos.(AU)

RESUMEN

Bovine vaccinia (BV) is a vesicular disease induced by the Vaccinia virus (VACV) that affects milk production and is an occupational zoonosis. This research had the following objectives: (i) detection of VACV by qPCR in cattle with clinical suspicion of vesicular disease; (ii) symptoms characterization in animals and milkers with clinical suspicion of the disease and virus detection in humans; and (iii) identification of risk factors for infections of VACV in herds from several Brazilian states. A total of 471 bovine epithelial samples from dairy farms, in 15 Brazilian states, were evaluated between 2007 and 2012. The samples were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR) using SYBR Green® reagents, validated with a lower limit of detection of 10 TCID50/50µL (1.7x10 viral particles), and 45.1% of VACV positive samples were detected. Using official forms for epidemiological investigation (FORM-IN), the risk factors for VACV infections in cattle were determined to be farms with a lack of technological facilities (P=0.029) and the presence of rodents (P=0.001). There was an effect of seasonality in cattle with a higher occurrence of BV during the dry season. A total of 420 epidemiological questionnaires were applied at public health care centers, where 100% of the milkers had vesicular lesions on their hands (98.1%) and on their arms (6.9%). The most frequent clinical symptoms in humans were: local swelling (74.2%), headache (20.7%), fever (10.4%) and inguinal lymphadenopathy (74.2%). Only 19.98% of milkers aged between 39 and 58 years were seroreactive to VACV and were immunized with the human anti-smallpox vaccine. There was an increase in the frequency of BV in older individuals due to their natural decrease in specific immunity. It has been shown that the implementation of zootechnical management techniques and health planning are important for the prevention of BV in animals and humans.(AU)

Vaccinia bovina (VB) é uma doença vesicular induzida pelo Vaccinia virus (VACV) que afeta a produção de leite e é uma zoonose ocupacional. Este trabalho teve os seguintes objetivos: (i) detecção de VACV por qPCR em bovinos com suspeita clínica de doença vesicular; (ii) caracterização dos sintomas apresentados por animais e ordenhadores com suspeita clínica da doença e detecção do vírus em humanos; e (iii) identificação de fatores de risco para infecção por VACV em rebanhos de vários estados brasileiros. Um total de 471 amostras de epitélio bovino de fazendas leiteiras, em 15 estados brasileiros, foram avaliados entre 2007 e 2012. As amostras foram testadas por PCR quantitativa (qPCR) usando reagentes SYBR Green®, validados com um limite inferior de detecção de 10TCID50/50L (1,7x10 partículas virais) e 45,1% das amostras positivas de VACV foram detectadas. Usando formulários oficiais de investigação epidemiológica (FORM-IN), os fatores de risco para infecções por VACV em bovinos foram determinados como fazendas com falta de instalações tecnológicas (P=0,029) e presença de roedores (P=0,001). Houve um efeito da sazonalidade no gado com maior ocorrência de VB durante a estação seca. Um total de 420 questionários epidemiológicos foram aplicados nos centros públicos de saúde, onde 100% dos ordenhadores apresentaram lesões vesiculares nas mãos (98,1%) e nos braços (6,9%). Os sintomas clínicos mais frequentes em humanos foram: inchaço local (74,2%), cefaleia (20,7%), febre (10,4%) e linfadenopatia inguinal (74,2%). Apenas 19,98% dos produtores de leite com idade entre 39 e 58 anos foram sororreagentes ao VACV e foram imunizados com a vacina contra a varíola humana. Houve um aumento na frequência de BV em indivíduos mais velhos devido à sua diminuição natural na imunidade específica. Demonstrou-se que a implementação de técnicas de gestão zootécnica e planejamento sanitário são importantes para a prevenção da VB em animais e seres humanos.(AU)

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RESUMEN

Bovine vaccinia (BV) is a vesicular disease induced by the Vaccinia virus (VACV) that affects milk production and is an occupational zoonosis. This research had the following objectives: (i) detection of VACV by qPCR in cattle with clinical suspicion of vesicular disease; (ii) symptoms characterization in animals and milkers with clinical suspicion of the disease and virus detection in humans; and (iii) identification of risk factors for infections of VACV in herds from several Brazilian states. A total of 471 bovine epithelial samples from dairy farms, in 15 Brazilian states, were evaluated between 2007 and 2012. The samples were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR) using SYBR Green® reagents, validated with a lower limit of detection of 10 TCID50/50µL (1.7x10 viral particles), and 45.1% of VACV positive samples were detected. Using official forms for epidemiological investigation (FORM-IN), the risk factors for VACV infections in cattle were determined to be farms with a lack of technological facilities (P=0.029) and the presence of rodents (P=0.001). There was an effect of seasonality in cattle with a higher occurrence of BV during the dry season. A total of 420 epidemiological questionnaires were applied at public health care centers, where 100% of the milkers had vesicular lesions on their hands (98.1%) and on their arms (6.9%). The most frequent clinical symptoms in humans were: local swelling (74.2%), headache (20.7%), fever (10.4%) and inguinal lymphadenopathy (74.2%). Only 19.98% of milkers aged between 39 and 58 years were seroreactive to VACV and were immunized with the human anti-smallpox vaccine. There was an increase in the frequency of BV in older individuals due to their natural decrease in specific immunity. It has been shown that the implementation of zootechnical management techniques and health planning are important for the prevention of BV in animals and humans.

Vaccinia bovina (VB) é uma doença vesicular induzida pelo Vaccinia virus (VACV) que afeta a produção de leite e é uma zoonose ocupacional. Este trabalho teve os seguintes objetivos: (i) detecção de VACV por qPCR em bovinos com suspeita clínica de doença vesicular; (ii) caracterização dos sintomas apresentados por animais e ordenhadores com suspeita clínica da doença e detecção do vírus em humanos; e (iii) identificação de fatores de risco para infecção por VACV em rebanhos de vários estados brasileiros. Um total de 471 amostras de epitélio bovino de fazendas leiteiras, em 15 estados brasileiros, foram avaliados entre 2007 e 2012. As amostras foram testadas por PCR quantitativa (qPCR) usando reagentes SYBR Green®, validados com um limite inferior de detecção de 10TCID50/50L (1,7x10 partículas virais) e 45,1% das amostras positivas de VACV foram detectadas. Usando formulários oficiais de investigação epidemiológica (FORM-IN), os fatores de risco para infecções por VACV em bovinos foram determinados como fazendas com falta de instalações tecnológicas (P=0,029) e presença de roedores (P=0,001). Houve um efeito da sazonalidade no gado com maior ocorrência de VB durante a estação seca. Um total de 420 questionários epidemiológicos foram aplicados nos centros públicos de saúde, onde 100% dos ordenhadores apresentaram lesões vesiculares nas mãos (98,1%) e nos braços (6,9%). Os sintomas clínicos mais frequentes em humanos foram: inchaço local (74,2%), cefaleia (20,7%), febre (10,4%) e linfadenopatia inguinal (74,2%). Apenas 19,98% dos produtores de leite com idade entre 39 e 58 anos foram sororreagentes ao VACV e foram imunizados com a vacina contra a varíola humana. Houve um aumento na frequência de BV em indivíduos mais velhos devido à sua diminuição natural na imunidade específica. Demonstrou-se que a implementação de técnicas de gestão zootécnica e planejamento sanitário são importantes para a prevenção da VB em animais e seres humanos.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Bovine vaccinia (BV) is a vesicular disease induced by the Vaccinia virus (VACV) that affects milk production and is an occupational zoonosis. This research had the following objectives: (i) detection of VACV by qPCR in cattle with clinical suspicion of vesicular disease; (ii) symptoms characterization in animals and milkers with clinical suspicion of the disease and virus detection in humans; and (iii) identification of risk factors for infections of VACV in herds from several Brazilian states. A total of 471 bovine epithelial samples from dairy farms, in 15 Brazilian states, were evaluated between 2007 and 2012. The samples were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR) using SYBR Green® reagents, validated with a lower limit of detection of 100TCID50/50µL (1.7x100 viral particles), and 45.1% of VACV positive samples were detected. Using official forms for epidemiological investigation (FORM-IN), the risk factors for VACV infections in cattle were determined to be farms with a lack of technological facilities (P= 0.029) and the presence of rodents (P= 0.001). There was an effect of seasonality in cattle with a higher occurrence of BV during the dry season. A total of 420 epidemiological questionnaires were applied at public health care centers, where 100% of the milkers had vesicular lesions on their hands (98.1%) and on their arms (6.9%). The most frequent clinical symptoms in humans were: local swelling (74.2%), headache (20.7%), fever (10.4%) and inguinal lymphadenopathy (74.2%). Only 19.98% of milkers aged between 39 and 58 years were seroreactive to VACV and were immunized with the human anti-smallpox vaccine. There was an increase in the frequency of BV in older individuals due to their natural decrease in specific immunity. It has been shown that the implementation of zootechnical management techniques and health planning are important for the prevention of BV in animals and humans.

Vaccinia bovina (VB) é uma doença vesicular induzida pelo Vaccinia virus (VACV) que afeta a produção de leite e é uma zoonose ocupacional. Este trabalho teve os seguintes objetivos: (i) detecção de VACV por qPCR em bovinos com suspeita clínica de doença vesicular; (ii) caracterização dos sintomas apresentados por animais e ordenhadores com suspeita clínica da doença e detecção do vírus em humanos; e (iii) identificação de fatores de risco para infecção por VACV em rebanhos de vários estados brasileiros. Um total de 471 amostras de epitélio bovino de fazendas leiteiras, em 15 estados brasileiros, foram avaliados entre 2007 e 2012. As amostras foram testadas por PCR quantitativa (qPCR) usando reagentes SYBR Green®, validados com um limite inferior de detecção de 100TCID50 / 50L (1,7x100 partículas virais) e 45,1% das amostras positivas de VACV foram detectadas. Usando formulários oficiais de investigação epidemiológica (FORM-IN), os fatores de risco para infecções por VACV em bovinos foram determinados como fazendas com falta de instalações tecnológicas (P= 0,029) e presença de roedores (P= 0,001). Houve um efeito da sazonalidade no gado com maior ocorrência de VB durante a estação seca. Um total de 420 questionários epidemiológicos foram aplicados nos centros públicos de saúde, onde 100% dos ordenhadores apresentaram lesões vesiculares nas mãos (98,1%) e nos braços (6,9%). Os sintomas clínicos mais frequentes em humanos foram: inchaço local (74,2%), cefaleia (20,7%), febre (10,4%) e linfadenopatia inguinal (74,2%). Apenas 19,98% dos produtores de leite com idade entre 39 e 58 anos foram sororreagentes ao VACV e foram imunizados com a vacina contra a varíola humana. Houve um aumento na frequência de BV em indivíduos mais velhos devido à sua diminuição natural na imunidade específica. Demonstrou-se que a implementação de técnicas de gestão zootécnica e planejamento sanitário são importantes para a prevenção da VB em animais e seres humanos.

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ABSTRACT: Bovine vaccinia (BV) is a vesicular disease induced by the Vaccinia virus (VACV) that affects milk production and is an occupational zoonosis. This research had the following objectives: (i) detection of VACV by qPCR in cattle with clinical suspicion of vesicular disease; (ii) symptoms characterization in animals and milkers with clinical suspicion of the disease and virus detection in humans; and (iii) identification of risk factors for infections of VACV in herds from several Brazilian states. A total of 471 bovine epithelial samples from dairy farms, in 15 Brazilian states, were evaluated between 2007 and 2012. The samples were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR) using SYBR Green® reagents, validated with a lower limit of detection of 100 TCID50/50µL (1.7x100 viral particles), and 45.1% of VACV positive samples were detected. Using official forms for epidemiological investigation (FORM-IN), the risk factors for VACV infections in cattle were determined to be farms with a lack of technological facilities (P=0.029) and the presence of rodents (P=0.001). There was an effect of seasonality in cattle with a higher occurrence of BV during the dry season. A total of 420 epidemiological questionnaires were applied at public health care centers, where 100% of the milkers had vesicular lesions on their hands (98.1%) and on their arms (6.9%). The most frequent clinical symptoms in humans were: local swelling (74.2%), headache (20.7%), fever (10.4%) and inguinal lymphadenopathy (74.2%). Only 19.98% of milkers aged between 39 and 58 years were seroreactive to VACV and were immunized with the human anti-smallpox vaccine. There was an increase in the frequency of BV in older individuals due to their natural decrease in specific immunity. It has been shown that the implementation of zootechnical management techniques and health planning are important for the prevention of BV in animals and humans.

RESUMO: Vaccinia bovina (VB) é uma doença vesicular induzida pelo Vaccinia virus (VACV) que afeta a produção de leite e é uma zoonose ocupacional. Este trabalho teve os seguintes objetivos: (i) detecção de VACV por qPCR em bovinos com suspeita clínica de doença vesicular; (ii) caracterização dos sintomas apresentados por animais e ordenhadores com suspeita clínica da doença e detecção do vírus em humanos; e (iii) identificação de fatores de risco para infecção por VACV em rebanhos de vários estados brasileiros. Um total de 471 amostras de epitélio bovino de fazendas leiteiras, em 15 estados brasileiros, foram avaliados entre 2007 e 2012. As amostras foram testadas por PCR quantitativa (qPCR) usando reagentes SYBR Green®, validados com um limite inferior de detecção de 100TCID50/50μL (1,7x100 partículas virais) e 45,1% das amostras positivas de VACV foram detectadas. Usando formulários oficiais de investigação epidemiológica (FORM-IN), os fatores de risco para infecções por VACV em bovinos foram determinados como fazendas com falta de instalações tecnológicas (P=0,029) e presença de roedores (P=0,001). Houve um efeito da sazonalidade no gado com maior ocorrência de VB durante a estação seca. Um total de 420 questionários epidemiológicos foram aplicados nos centros públicos de saúde, onde 100% dos ordenhadores apresentaram lesões vesiculares nas mãos (98,1%) e nos braços (6,9%). Os sintomas clínicos mais frequentes em humanos foram: inchaço local (74,2%), cefaleia (20,7%), febre (10,4%) e linfadenopatia inguinal (74,2%). Apenas 19,98% dos produtores de leite com idade entre 39 e 58 anos foram sororreagentes ao VACV e foram imunizados com a vacina contra a varíola humana. Houve um aumento na frequência de BV em indivíduos mais velhos devido à sua diminuição natural na imunidade específica. Demonstrou-se que a implementação de técnicas de gestão zootécnica e planejamento sanitário são importantes para a prevenção da VB em animais e seres humanos.

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The Poxviridae family is comprised of double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV). Among the NCLDV, poxviruses exhibit the widest known host range, which is likely observed because this viral family has been more heavily investigated. However, relative to each member of the Poxviridae family, the spectrum of the host is variable, where certain viruses can infect a large range of hosts, while others are restricted to only one host species. It has been suggested that the variability in host spectrum among poxviruses is linked with the presence or absence of some host range genes. Would it be possible to extrapolate the restriction of viral replication in a specific cell lineage to an animal, a far more complex organism? In this study, we compare and discuss the relationship between the host range of poxvirus species and the abundance/diversity of host range genes. We analyzed the sequences of 38 previously identified and putative homologs of poxvirus host range genes, and updated these data with deposited sequences of new poxvirus genomes. Overall, the term host range genes might not be the most appropriate for these genes, since no correlation between them and the viruses' host spectrum was observed, and a change in nomenclature should be considered. Finally, we analyzed the evolutionary history of these genes, and reaffirmed the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) for certain elements, as previously suggested. Considering the data presented in this study, it is not possible to associate the diversity of host range factors with the amount of hosts of known poxviruses, and this traditional nomenclature creates misunderstandings.

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This study represents the first phylogenetic analysis of avian poxvirus recovered from turkeys in Brazil. The clinical disorders related to fowlpox herein described occurred in a turkey housing system. The birds displaying characteristic pox lesions which were observed on the neck, eyelids and beak of the turkeys. Four affected turkeys were randomly chosen, euthanized and necropsied. Tissues samples were submitted for histopathological analysis and total DNA was further extracted, amplified by conventional PCR, sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Avian poxviruses specific PCR was performed based on P4b core protein gene sequence. The histological analysis revealed dermal inflammatory process, granulation tissue, hyperplasia of epithelial cells and inclusion bodies. The P4b gene was detected in all samples. Sequencing revealed a 100% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity among the samples, and the sequences were deposited in GenBank®. The four Avian poxviruses fragments sequenced in this study clustered along the A1 clade of avipoxviruses, and were classified as Avipoxvirus (APV). Additional studies, such as virus isolation, PCR and sequencing includinga large number of specimens from the Brazilian turkey production must be conducted due to the hazardous risk that poxvirus infections may cause to the Brazilian poultry production scenario, given that Brazil's turkey production attracts attention due to its economic importance worldwide. Our findings point to the need to identify the prevalence of APV in Brazilian turkey production, to perform risk assessment studies and continued surveillance of APV infections in both wild and commercial avian species.

Este trabalho representa a primeira análise filogenética de Poxvirus aviário detectado em perus no Brasil. Os distúrbios clínicos relacionados com bouba aviária aqui descritos ocorreram em um sistema de alojamento de perus. As aves apresentaram lesões características de varíola observadas no pescoço, pálpebras e bico das aves. Quatro perus com sinais característicos foram escolhidos aleatoriamente, sacrificados e submetidos à autópsia. Amostras de tecido foram submetidas à análise histopatológica e o DNA total foi extraído, amplificado por PCR convencional e os amplicons foram sequenciados e analisados ​​filogeneticamente. A PCR específica para Poxvírus aviário foi realizada com base na seqüência do gene da proteína do núcleo P4b. A análise histológica revelou um processo inflamatório dérmico, tecido de granulação, hiperplasia de células epiteliais e corpúsculos de inclusão. O gene P4b foi detectado em todas as amostras. O sequenciamento revelou uma identidade entre nucleotídeos e aminoácido de 100% entre as amostras e as sequências foram depositadas no GenBank®. Os quatro fragmentos de poxvírus aviário sequenciado neste estudo foram agrupados no clado A1 de avipoxvirus e foram classificados como Avipoxvirus (APV). Estudos adicionais, como isolamento viral, PCR e sequenciamento, incluindo um grande número de perus da produção brasileira devem ser conduzidos devido ao grave risco que a infecção por poxvírus pode causar ao cenário de produção avícola brasileira, tendo em vista que a produção brasileira de perus atrai atenção devido a sua importância mundial. Nossos resultados apontam para a necessidade de identificar a prevalência da APV na produção de peru no Brasil, para realizar estudos de avaliação de risco e continuada monitoração de infecções por APV nas espécies de aves comerciais e silvestres.

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